TOP TO BOTTOM / N.H.L.
Team (Record): Comment
1. New Jersey (31-15-5-4): Earned at least a point in 16 of 17.
2. Detroit (31-15-6-1): Looks good in 4-1-1 push.
3. Washington (24-17-8-1): Gonchar sizzles in 10-0-1 streak.
4. St. Louis (31-14-6-0): Beat Ottawa, Dallas, Colorado.
5. Phoenix (28-17-6-1): Tkachuk trade rumors continue.
6. Toronto (29-17-6-3): Lucky Thomas keys 5-2-2 push.
7. Florida (29-17-4-3): Challenged by surging Capitals.
8. Dallas (27-19-5-2): Defense gathering strength.
9. Ottawa (25-18-8-2): Goals scarce in 1-3-2 skid.
10. Philadelphia (26-15-9-1): Will Primeau be primo acquisition?
11. Colorado (25-20-7-1): Sloppy defense in 1-3-2 stretch.
12. N.Y. Rangers (22-22-7-3): Fleury, Nedved carry offense.
13. Boston (17-22-13-4): Dafoe, team should be sharper.
14. Edmonton (17-22-13-7): Consistently inconsistent.
15. Calgary (23-23-5-1): Scored three in losing last three.
16. Kings (22-21-7-3): Collapse at Toronto hurts.
17. Ducks (22-24-6-1): Getting act together on road.
18. Nashville (19-27-6-4): Pluck only goes so far.
19. San Jose (22-26-6-6): Defense dreadful in 2-7-1 slide.
20. Montreal (17-25-7-2): McCleary recovery all that matters.
21. Buffalo (20-25-6-1): Hasek (torn groin) may return Tuesday.
22. Chicago (18-27-6-2): Some gains, fewer losses.
23. Carolina (20-24-8-0): Playoff hopes fade in 3-7 slump.
24. Pittsburgh (21-25-4-5): Defense weak in 3-7-1 skid.
25. Vancouver (15-25-10-6): Latest slump hits 2-7-2.
26. N.Y. Islanders (13-31-6-1): Some progress in 3-1 surge.
27. Tampa Bay (12-31-6-4): Two victories in last 21. Ugh.
28. Atlanta (11-33-6-4): Lost to Tampa Bay in basement bowl.
Through Monday’s games
GAME OF THE WEEK
NORTH AMERICA VS.
WORLD ALL-STAR GAME
When--Sunday. Time--11:30 a.m. TV--Ch. 7.
* Story line--The 50th All-Star game returns to Toronto, where the first one was played in 1947. Back then, blue laws prohibited sporting events on Sunday, most of the players rode to Maple Leaf Gardens on the streetcar and 23 reporters covered the game. The format has changed several times since then too. This will be the third game under this format: the first two, both won by Team North America, produced 15 and 14 goals, respectively. The week-long festivities will include a prospects game, a game between the U.S. and Canadian women’s teams, the skills competition and two heroes of hockey exhibitions. The game begins ABC’s five-year, $600-million TV deal with the NHL.
